Niue Vanilla International Managing Director Stanley Kalauni firmed up plans with Geoff White, CEO of Trade Aid at the PT&I Pacific Hub stand on the first day of the Auckland Food Show.

Niue Vanilla will be the first Pacific food product to be sold in Trade Aid stores – marking a return of interest by Trade Aid in Pacific Island made products.

Trade Aid is expected to take on all six lines under the Niue Vanilla International brand across all 31stores phasing it in with a few stores in Auckland and Wellington.

Trade Aid is a not for profit retailer, importer, wholesaler and development agency. The agreement a major step forward for Niue Vanilla International, a family owned company started by Mr Kalauni in Niue in 1991.

Pacific Islands Trade & Invest Trade Commissioner Michael Greenslade said, “We are delighted Stanley has achieved his goal of getting a distributor in New Zealand as part of our Path to Market Program. Clearly the Trade Aid network could also work for some other of our clients. We will be watching this with excited anticipation.”

Niue Vanilla International is currently showcasing at PT&I’s Pacific Hub stand (P5) at the Auckland Food Show over four days.

Mr Kalauni praised the support from the PT&I network, “They really helped us out.” PT&I offices in Sydney, Geneva and Auckland helping him participate in their trade shows and providing exposure to different markets. “We couldn’t have done it without them” he said.

Mr White said Pacific Island products were the main products in Trade Aid stores 43 years ago but this is now less than 1% of products. “We are bringing the Pacific back” he said.

“The Pacific is on our back door step and we have a desire to work with the Pacific.”

The agreement with Niue Vanilla International has taken around three years of talking and relationship building after the pair first met at a Pacific Trade Fair in Fiji three years ago. Mr White said Niue Vanilla International had the best stand. It was a product that could go straight into the market said. Since then he had showed it (the vanilla) around and received a great response. “It is
superb” he said.

Mr Kalauni said it was the next step for the business to partner with a company such as Trade Aid that is already established with retail and distribution outlets.

“There is no point in reinventing the wheel, he said. “We are very excited.”

While there are no free samples of Niue Vanilla at the Auckland Food Show, they will be selling products at 40% less than the standard price.

The Auckland Food Show is aimed at consumers with some 300 stands and more than 35,000 expected visitors. The show picks up on consumer trends toward fresh ingredients and flavours from around the world, sourcing top recipes and cooking at home for friends and family. It is expected to pull in around $6.3 million in revenue.

“This is the second food show that PT&I has supported this year as part of our food and beverage strategy,” PT&I NZ Trade Commissioner Michael Greenslade says. “AFS is for Pacific Island companies that are established and seeking to strengthen their consumer presence in New Zealand;

it’s predominantly a brand building exercise for Pacific Island companies.”

Many of the products on the stand are already available in the New Zealand market through various retailers including the major supermarkets. “The Auckland Food Show is a good opportunity for the Pacific Island businesses to interact directly with thousands of consumers. Importantly consumers can buy a range of Pacific products at this event,” said PT&I Trade Development Manager, Joe Fuavao.

“From the award-winning Vailima beer from Samoa to premium Arabica coffee from Papua New Guinea, we have a range of Pacific products at the Pacific Hub stand to appeal a variety of consumers. Additionally, we have handcrafted chocolates made with cacao beans from the Solomon Islands and a range of biscuits, wraps and bottled water from Fiji. Discover more at our stand, P5.”